System and method for placing audible road features

ABSTRACT

A method for placing an audible feature on a road includes heating a composition and depositing the composition onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road. The composition seeps into porous areas of at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cools to form the audible feature. The audible feature adheres to at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of road features. More particularly the disclosure relates to systems and methods for placing audible road features or visible audible road features.

Roadway boundaries are delimited by visual markings, for example, paint or ribbon that bonds to the road surface. Such visual boundaries may reflective to aid a driver in seeing the road boundaries. In addition to visual markings, roadway boundaries may also be delimited by audible features that produce an audible noise if a vehicle tire passes over or strikes them. Such audible features include rumble strips, Bott's dots, cat's eyes, plastic or thermoplastic markings, etc.

Plastic or thermoplastic audible markings may be placed onto a visual marking (e.g., ribbon) when the visual marking is laid onto a new or existing road surface and is still hot. The cool audible marking is placed onto the hot visual marking and bonds with the visual marking as it is placed on the road. Such conventional processes for placing audible markings require removal of old visual markings and placement of new visual markings with the audible markings and thus have a high cost. What is needed is a system and method for placing audible markings onto an existing road surface or onto an existing visual marking. What is also needed is a system and method for placing audible markings in a more cost effective manner.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for placing an audible feature on a road. The method includes heating a composition and depositing the composition onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road. The composition seeps into porous areas of at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cools to form the audible feature. The audible feature adheres to at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for placing an audible feature on a road using a hydrostatic pump and a depositing device mounted on a vehicle. The method includes heating a composition to a liquid state and depositing the composition onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road using the pump and depositing device. The composition bonds with at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cools to form the audible feature.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a system for mounting on a vehicle and configured for placing an audible feature on a road. The system includes a heating element configured to heat a composition, a hydraulic pump, and a depositing device configured to receive the composition from the hydraulic pump. The depositing device is configured to cut portions of the composition and provide the portions onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road. The portions of composition bond with at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cooling to form the audible feature.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle configured to place audible features on a road, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a road including a plurality of audible features, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustration of an audible road feature, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top view illustration of an audible road feature, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system configured for mounting on a vehicle and configured to place audible features on a road, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system configured for mounting on a vehicle and configured to place audible features on a road, according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for placing an audible feature on a road, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for placing an audible feature on a road, according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail the particular improved system and method, it should be observed that the invention includes, but is not limited to, a novel structural combination of conventional mechanical and electromechanical components and not in the particular detailed configurations thereof. Accordingly, the structure, methods, functions, control and arrangement of conventional components have generally been illustrated in the drawings by readily understandable block representations and schematic diagrams, in order not to obscure the disclosure with structural details which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the description herein. Further, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments depicted in the exemplary diagrams, but should be construed in accordance with the language in the claims.

Referring generally to the figures, a system and method for placing audible road features is shown. The system can include a composition, a heating element, a pump, and a depositing device. The system may place or deposit the heated composition onto an existing roadway or existing visual marking using the pump and depositing device. As the heated composition cools, it bonds with the existing roadway or existing visual marking and forms an audible feature on the roadway. The composition may also include reflective markings to make the audible feature more visible. The system may be placed or mounted onto a vehicle to facilitate placement of the audible features on the roadway as the vehicle moves.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 100 includes a system 102 configured to place audible features 104 onto a roadway 106 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, system 102 deposits audible features 104 onto a visual marking 108. Visual marking 108 may be paint, a ribbon, epoxy, asphalt, concrete, or another material bonded to roadway 106. Visual marking 108 may be reflective or non-reflective. It is noted that according to other exemplary embodiments, audible feature 104 may be deposited directly onto a surface of roadway 106. Audible feature 104 is raised from the surrounding surface of road 106 or marking 108 and thus if a vehicle drives over feature 104 (e.g., a tire passes over or strikes feature 104) an audible sound is produced. Feature 104 may also have reflective properties to the boundaries of road 106 easier to see.

Conventional systems may only be capable of depositing audible features onto a visual marking when the visual marking has just been laid and is still hot. In order to add reflective or audible markings to the road, such systems require that the old visual markings be removed (e.g., by milling, by water pressure, etc.) and new visual markings be laid with the audible features. In contrast, system 102 heats a composition and deposits the composition using a pump onto a cool surface of road 106 or onto a cool surface of visual marking 108. The composition may include thermoplastic materials, epoxy materials, urea plastic materials, preform thermoplastic materials, rubber materials, metal materials, and/or any other material. When the composition cools, it bonds with the surface of road 106 or the surface of visual marking 108 to form audible feature 104. By depositing audible feature 104 in such a manner, the cost of adding audible features to a roadway may be greatly reduced.

While vehicle 100 is illustrated as a truck, according to other exemplary embodiments, system 102 may be mounted to any vehicle. Further, while system 102 is shown as being mounted to a right side of vehicle 100, in other exemplary embodiments, system 102 may be mounted to a left side of vehicle 100, mounted to a rear of vehicle 100, mounted to a front of vehicle 100, mounted to a bottom of vehicle 100, or mounted in any other location of vehicle 100. System 102 is shown to extend from an outer surface of vehicle 100, but in other exemplary embodiments, system 102 may be mounted in such a way that it is flush with a surface of vehicle 100 or is recessed within a surface of vehicle 100. System 102 may be mounted on vehicle 100 at any height above the ground.

Referring to FIG. 2, audible features 104 may be placed by system 102 onto visual marking 108 (or directly on a surface of road 106) with a specific spacing or interval, according to various exemplary embodiments. According to various exemplary embodiments, audible features 104 may be placed at any desired spacing. For example, audible features 104 may be placed between about 12 inches and about 40 feet apart, between about 12 inches and about 28 inches apart, about 28 inches apart, greater than about 12 inches, or any other desired spacing.

Referring to FIG. 3, audible feature 104 is illustrated in greater detail according to an exemplary embodiment. While audible feature 104 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 as being circular, according to other exemplary embodiments, audible feature 104 may only be generally circular, may be generally elliptical, may have an oblong shape, or may have any other shape. Audible feature 104 may have an imperfect shape because of gravity or because of impact during deposition from an elevated system 102.

Audible feature 104 has a general diameter or length 302 and a thickness or height 304. In some exemplary embodiments, diameter 302 and thickness 304 may not be completely uniform from all angles or at all locations of audible feature 104. In various exemplary embodiments, diameter 304 may be between about 2 inches and 8 inches, less than 6 inches, less than 4 inches, between about 3 and 5 inches, between about 3½ and 4 inches, etc. In various exemplary embodiments, thickness 304 may be between about 350 and 600 mils.

Referring to FIG. 4, audible feature 104 may include reflective materials 402 that allow feature 104 to be more easily seen, according to an exemplary embodiment. Reflective materials 402 may include reflective beads or other reflective shapes made of plastic, metal, rubber, or any other material that is reflective or capable of having a reflective coating or surface. Reflective materials 402 may be located throughout the volume of audible feature 104 so that feature 104 remains reflective even if the surface is worn down by vehicular traffic. While a specific number of reflective materials 402 is illustrated, in other exemplary embodiments, more or fewer than the illustrated amount of materials 402 may be used. While a specific pattern of reflective materials 402 is illustrated, in other exemplary embodiments, any predetermined or random configuration of materials 402 may be used. In other exemplary embodiments, audible feature 104 may include a reflective coating or the composition of audible feature 104 may be formulated to be reflective (e.g., including reflective particles).

Referring to FIG. 5, a system 500 is configured for mounting on vehicle 100 and is configured for placing audible features 104 on road 106, according to an exemplary embodiment. System 500 includes a container 502, a heating element 504, a pump 506, and a depositing device 508. Container 502 is configured to hold or store the audible feature composition. For example, container 502 may store thermoplastic materials, epoxy materials, urea plastic materials, preform thermoplastic materials, rubber materials, metal materials, and/or any other material.

Heating element 504 may be any heating element configured to heat container 502 such that the composition stored in container 502 may be heated above the melting point, forming a liquid composition. In some exemplary embodiments, heating element 504 may heat the composition to a temperature above about 300 degrees Fahrenheit, above about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, above about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, between about 300 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or any temperature sufficient to elevate the temperature of the composition above its melting point. Heating element 504 may be mounted on or near container 504 and heat container 504 via direct contact or radiant heat. In other exemplary embodiments, a portion of the solid material stored in container 502 may be moved to another container for heating to segregate and store the composition in both solid and liquid states.

Pump 506 is configured to provide a predetermined amount of the liquid composition from container 502 to depositing device 508. Depositing device 508 includes an opening and a cutting device or knife in a housing or oiled jacket. Depositing device 508 is configured to cut the composition at predetermined intervals for providing the composition onto a surface of road 106 or onto visual marking 108. The rate at which pump 506 and depositing device 508 actuate may be controlled by processing electronics. In some exemplary embodiments, pump 506 may continuously provide material to depositing device 508. In other exemplary embodiments, pump 506 may only provide material to depositing device 508 when the depositing device is ready to cut more material. In various exemplary embodiments, pump 506 and depositing device 508 may deposit the composition to cover an area having a diameter (e.g., diameter 304) between about 2 inches and 8 inches, less than about 6 inches, less than about 4 inches, between about 3 and 5 inches, between about 3½ and 4 inches, etc. In various exemplary embodiments, pump 506 and depositing device 508 may deposit the composition over the area and having a thickness (e.g., thickness 304) f between about 350 and 600 mils. According to some exemplary embodiments, pump 506 may be a hydraulic pump, such as a hydrostatic pump or a hydrodynamic pump. In other exemplary embodiments, pump 506 may be any pump configured to deposit a liquid composition and configured for mounting on a vehicle. According to various exemplary embodiments, depositing device may be any device capable of cutting/separating and providing a portion of the composition to road 106 or visual marking 108.

Referring to FIG. 6, a system 600 is configured for mounting on vehicle 100 and is configured for placing audible features 104 on road 106, according to another exemplary embodiment. System 600 includes container 502, heating element 504, a mixing reservoir 604, a reflective material container 606, and pump 506. Container 502 is configured to hold or store the audible feature composition. Heating element 504 is configured to heat container 502 such that the composition stored in container 502 may be heated above the melting point, forming a liquid composition. In other exemplary embodiments, a portion of the solid material stored in container 502 may be moved to another container for heating to segregate and store the composition in both solid and liquid states. Mixing reservoir 604 is configured to receive the heated liquid composition from container 502 and to receive reflective materials (e.g., as described with reference to FIG. 4) stored in container 606. Mixing reservoir 604 is also configured to combine or mix the reflective materials onto the liquid composition so that the reflective materials are placed on a surface of the composition. In other exemplary embodiments, the reflective materials may be mixed within the composition such that they are generally evenly spread throughout the composition. The pump 506 and depositing device 508 may then deposit the composition including the reflective materials onto a surface of road 106 or onto visual marking 108. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the composition stored in container 502 may already include reflective materials that have a higher melting point than the composition. When the composition is heated by heating element 504, the reflective materials remain in a solid state within the composition, which is then deposited by pump 506 and depositing device 508.

Referring to FIG. 7, a method 700 is configured to place an audible feature 104 on road 106. Heating element 504 heats a composition (step 702), for example beyond its melting point. Pump 506 and depositing device 508 deposits the composition onto at least one of a surface of road 106 and an existing layer on road 106 (step 704), for example visible marking 108. As the composition cools, it bonds with at least one of the surface of road 106 and the existing layer to form an audible feature 104 (step 706).

Referring to FIG. 8, a method 800 is configured to place an audible feature 104 on road 106. Heating element 504 heats a composition (step 802), for example beyond its melting point. Reflective materials are mixed onto the heated composition (e.g., in mixing reservoir 604) to make the composition and audible feature 104 more visible (step 804). Pump 506 and depositing device 508 deposits the composition onto at least one of a surface of road 106 and an existing layer on road 106 (step 806), for example visible marking 108. As the composition cools, it bonds with at least one of the surface of road 106 and the existing layer to form a reflective audible feature 104 (step 808).

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the components as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for placing an audible feature on a road, comprising: heating a composition; and depositing the composition onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road, wherein the composition bonds with at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cools to form the audible feature.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising mixing reflective materials onto the composition.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the composition to a temperature above its melting point.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least one of a thermoplastic material, epoxy material, urea plastic material, and a preform thermoplastic material.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the existing layer comprises at least one of a thermoplastic product, paint, epoxy, asphalt, and concrete.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing the composition at a periodic interval, the periodic interval comprising a distance greater than twelve inches.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing the composition in an area having a diameter between two and eight inches and a thickness of between 350 and 600 mils.
 8. A method for placing an audible feature on a road using a hydrostatic pump and a depositing device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: heating a composition to a liquid state; and depositing the composition onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road using the pump and depositing device, wherein the composition bonds with at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cools to form the audible feature.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising mixing reflective materials onto the composition.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the composition to between 300 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the existing layer comprises at least one of a thermoplastic product, paint, epoxy, asphalt, and concrete.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing the composition at a periodic interval, the periodic interval comprising a distance greater than twelve inches.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing the composition in an area having a diameter between two and eight inches and a thickness of between 350 and 600 mils.
 14. A system for mounting on a vehicle and configured for placing an audible feature on a road, comprising: a heating element configured to heat a composition; a hydraulic pump; and a depositing device configured to receive the composition from the hydraulic pump, the depositing device configured to cut portions of the composition and provide the portions onto at least one of a surface of the road and an existing layer on the road, the portions of composition bonding with at least one of the surface of the road and the existing layer on the road and cooling to form the audible feature.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the composition includes reflective materials.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the composition is heated to a temperature above its melting point.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the composition comprises at least one of a thermoplastic material, epoxy material, urea plastic material, and a preform thermoplastic material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the existing layer comprises at least one of a thermoplastic product, paint, epoxy, asphalt, and concrete.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the composition is deposited at a periodic interval, the periodic interval comprising a distance greater than twelve inches.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the composition is deposited in an area having a diameter between two and eight inches and a thickness of between 350 and 600 mils. 